and also from an article by Laura Walters on stuff.co.nz
A lover of nature and bush walking, Mr Vandenberg discovered that the butterflies had been visiting the park every winter for a very long time. They slept in trees during winter, and when the sun came out they stretched their wings, and sometimes took flight.
Mr Vandenberg's butterfly park comprises a set of butterfly-shaped gardens with native trees, grasses and swan plants, attractive to butterflies all year round.
"They can detect the swan plants from about one kilometre away."
The plants attract monarchs, and New Zealand's native butterflies, such as the red admiral, yellow admiral, and copper butterfly.
"If I can educate people and get them interested in our native butterflies that'd be great."
There has also been great support from helpers. More than 40 people are on the project's emailing list, and up to 17 people have been present, at any time, during working bees.
"The community are just getting really involved."
If he's not researching native plants, he's unloading mulch, hammering in pegs, or drawing up business plans for funding applications.
Mr Vandenberg has put hundreds of hours into making his dream take flight. "It's every spare moment, or every minute."
Monarchs in Apollo Park has received funding from Palmerston North City Environmental Trust, and support from Manawatu Native Plant Nurseries, and Palmerston North City Council. *
(from an article by Laura Walters. Read more on stuff.co.nz)